Agadez (also Agades) is the largest city in northern Niger, with a population of 88,569 (2005 census). It lies in the Sahara and is the capital of Aïr, one of the traditional Tuareg federations. The city is also the capital of the Agadez Region, with a population of 347,330 (2005).

In 1449, Agadez became a sultanate, while around 1500 it was conquered by the Songhai Empire. At this point, the city had a population of around 30,000 people and was a key passage for the medieval caravans trading between the West African cities of Kano and Timbuktu and the North African oases of Ghat, Ghadames, and Tripoli, on the Mediterranean shore. Decline set in after the Moroccan invasion, and the population sank to less than 10,000.

Tourist center

Today, Agadez flourishes as a market town and as a centre for the transportation of the uranium mined in the surrounding area. Notable buildings in the city include the Agadez Grand Mosque, originally dating from 1515 but rebuilt in the same style in 1844, the Kaocen Palace (now a hotel) and the Agadez Sultan's Palace. The city is also known for its camel market and its silver and leatherwork.

Airport

Agadez international airport was named after Mano Dayak, the Tuareg leader who is native to the region.

2007 violence

See: Second Tuareg Rebellion
As a result of the Second Tuareg Rebellion, sporadic violence and the displacement of numerous people has affected the Agadez area. All of northern Niger was placed on the United States State Department list of areas which are unsafe for travel by United States citizens, covering late 2007 to the end of 2008. Tourist flights are also suspended to Agadez from European airlines for the 2007–2008 tourist season (September - March). The burgeoning tourist industry, which prior to 2007 had surpassed that of the Niamey and the rest of the nation, was essentially ended. The entire Region was placed under a Niger government State of Exception (limiting travel, gatherings, political activities, etc.) in October 2007, renewed through early 2009. Roads to and from Agadez were reported to have been mined, and the Niger government closed the area to international journalists and aid organizations. An unknown number (reported as several thousands) of internally displaced people have converged on the city.

From Wikitravel

Contents

WARNING: Due to the ongoing Tuareg Rebellion in
the region, Agadez is currently unsafe for travel. A permit is
required to travel in northern Niger and unlikely to be granted for
tourism. Persons trying to travel to the region HAVE BEEN ARRESTED
trying to enter independently without a permit. Police have the
authority to detain persons for more than 48 hours without cause.
If traveling by bus, you will be forced to deboard the bus and will
have to wait at a police checkpoint in the middle of the desert for
hours until the bus in the opposite direction picks you up. See the
US State Dept.'s Niger travel
page for info on obtaining a travel permit.

Agadez is a historic city in Aïr region of Niger. Founded in the 11th century,
Agadez was an important stop for caravans crossing the Saharan
Desert for centuries. Agadez was held by the Mali empire during
part of the 14th century, captured by the Songhai empire in 1515,
and controlled by Bornu in the 17th century. It remained a trade
center until the late 19th century. During much of this time it was
a center of Islamic learning and the seat of several sultanates
before its capture by the French in 1900.

It is a center of Tuareg culture and likewise two Tuareg
rebellions in recent years: 1990-1995 & 2007-present. The
Tuareg people are the original Canaanites from the Bible. The
meaning of Canaan is 'land of the purple people.' This unusual
moniker is in reference to the bluish-purple vegetable dye the
Tuareg use to color their clothing that subsequently rubs off onto
their skin. The Tuareg are renowned for their metal and leather
workings.The region around Agadez is known for its spectacular
desert/mountain scenery. It is also the center of one of the
largest uranium mining regions on Earth.

Get in

By Road

Agadez lies on the Trans-Sahara
Highway, also known as the Algiers-Lagos Highway. The highway
provides access north across the Sahara to Algiers and south to Nigeria with a terminus in Lagos. The Trans-Sahelian (or Dakar-N'Djamena)
Highway, bisects the Trans-Saharan Highway about 600km south of
Agadez.

By Air

There is an international airport serving the city, but with
limited flights. Flights between EU countries and Agadez ceased
with the start of the second Tuareg Rebellion in 2007. Thus, the
most feasible way of arriving in Agadez by air is to arrive in Niamey.

Mosque of Agadez, built in 16th
century

Palace of Sultan

Leather and silver handicrafts are made.

Buy

Agadez Tuareg Cross - The markings and geometrical design of
Tuareg crosses and Tuareg jewelry in general translates into
protective symbolism. "God is the center of the universe, we are
one with God" and "no matter where you go God and I shall always be
with you and protect you" are common Saharan interpretations. Those
of the Muslim faith believe that the arms of the cross will
disperse all evil from the individual, thus keeping him out of
harms way. Tuareg parents are known to give these exquisite silver
crosses to their children when they are about to depart from home
but they are worn by all as a form of good luck and protection. The
silver crosses are uniquely shaped and are named after the town of
Agadez from where they originate. The cross bears the jewelers mark
on its back. The beaded necklace contains four cylindrical
decoratively embossed silver segments.

The Touareg crosses sold come in a number of designs. The Agadez
cross is the most common, but many others are available. Each
design is associated with a particular Touareg market town. Other
examples include the Timia cross, the Iferouane cross and the
unusual Ingal cross

Le Piliers(+227) 94254419 - Italian restaurant
run by the owner of the restaurants by the same name in Niamey and
Iferoune.